The Israeli military has confirmed carrying out airstrikes on approximately 40 targets across the Gaza Strip over the last 24 hours, as tensions escalate following Hamas’ rejection of a proposed ceasefire deal.
The renewed offensive, announced on Friday, comes just hours after Hamas declared that the truce proposal presented through Egyptian mediators failed to meet its primary demand for a comprehensive end to hostilities. The militant group described the conditions set by Israel as “unrealistic” and “impossible.”
Ongoing Military Operations Intensify in Gaza
According to a statement from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), operations are currently focused in both southern and northern sectors of the coastal enclave, particularly around the Shabura and Tel Al-Sultan neighborhoods near Rafah, as well as areas east of Gaza City.
The IDF said the strikes targeted “Hamas infrastructure, command centers, and weapons storage facilities,” as part of its continued campaign to weaken the group’s operational capabilities and force the release of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.
The military also confirmed that troops have advanced deeper into the strip, having now seized nearly a third of the territory since resuming operations in March, following a temporary lull in fighting.
Rising Casualty Figures Reported
Palestinian health officials reported that Friday’s bombings resulted in the deaths of at least 30 people, bringing the total number of fatalities in Gaza since March to more than 1,500. The Ministry of Health in Gaza claimed that many of those killed were civilians, including women and children, as Israeli operations continue in densely populated areas.
Residents in Rafah and northern Gaza described another night of terror as explosions echoed across neighborhoods and entire blocks were reduced to rubble.
“We were asleep when the bombing started,” said Amal Youssef, a Rafah resident. “People were screaming, houses were shaking, and many ran out with only the clothes they were wearing.”
Ceasefire Talks at an Impasse
The current wave of violence comes amid stalled negotiations brokered by Egyptian and Qatari officials, who have been working to revive a January ceasefire agreement. The previous truce, which had held for nearly two months, collapsed when Israel resumed its military campaign, citing Hamas’ failure to release remaining hostages and disarm.
On Thursday night, Khalil Al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official and the group’s top figure in Gaza, publicly addressed the impasse. In a televised statement, Al-Hayya said Hamas is prepared to exchange the remaining 59 hostages in its custody for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails — but only under the condition of a permanent end to the war and the launch of a comprehensive reconstruction effort in Gaza.
“We are ready to release all the hostages in exchange for our imprisoned brothers and a full end to aggression,” Al-Hayya stated. “However, the latest Israeli offer demands that we surrender unconditionally, disarm, and accept an occupation-style arrangement. These are impossible conditions.”
Israel Maintains Its Position on Hamas Disarmament
While the Israeli government has not issued a formal response to Al-Hayya’s remarks, multiple top officials have reiterated the country’s core demands in recent days. Chief among them is the complete dismantling of Hamas’ military wing and its removal from any role in Gaza’s post-war governance.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and other cabinet members have insisted that any long-term ceasefire or peace arrangement must include “full demilitarization” and ensure that Hamas has no influence over the region’s political future.
Additionally, Israeli officials say any deal must include provisions for Israel to maintain a buffer zone inside Gaza. This strip, which now cuts through the territory, is intended to prevent future cross-border attacks and would remain under Israeli control even after an agreement is reached.
“We will not withdraw from the buffer zone,” Defense Minister Israel Katz said earlier this week. “It is a necessary security measure to protect Israeli citizens and ensure Hamas never regains its ability to strike us.”
International Mediation Faces Challenges
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, Egyptian negotiators have so far struggled to bridge the widening gap between the two sides. A senior Egyptian official, speaking anonymously to international media, described the current talks as “the most difficult” since the conflict reignited in late 2023.
“There is no trust, no consensus on fundamental issues, and both parties believe they can gain more through military pressure,” the source said. “The humanitarian situation is deteriorating, and unless a breakthrough occurs soon, we may witness an even deadlier escalation.”
Global Reactions and Humanitarian Concerns
The latest round of fighting has prompted concern from international aid organizations and foreign governments, who fear that continued violence will deepen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The United Nations has warned of a potential collapse in basic services as hospitals, food supplies, and water infrastructure continue to be targeted or blocked.
UN Humanitarian Coordinator Martin Griffiths said on Friday that renewed airstrikes have further complicated aid deliveries.
“The situation on the ground is worsening. Families are displaced again, hospitals are running on fumes, and food shortages are acute. Civilians must be protected, and humanitarian access must be guaranteed,” Griffiths said in a statement.
Looking Ahead
As both sides harden their positions, the prospect of an immediate ceasefire appears remote. With Israeli forces continuing to expand their control within Gaza and Hamas refusing to lay down arms without guarantees of sovereignty and reconstruction, analysts suggest that only robust international intervention may be able to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table.
For now, the people of Gaza remain caught in the middle of a prolonged and increasingly brutal conflict — with no clear end in sight.
